2025-05-17 Sat

The Gilgit Manuscripts also referred to as the Gilgit records , are the oldest surviving manuscripts in India. Made from birch BARK and clay-coated paper, this collection encompasses both canonical and non-canonical #buddhist texts that provide valuable insights into the evolution of religious and philosophical literature across a range of cultures, including Indian, Chinese , korean , japanese , mongolian , Manchu, and tibetan traditions. Among these texts are significant Sutras from the Buddhist canon, such as the Samadhirajasutra and Saddharmapundarikasutra (#lotus Sutra).

The manuscripts cover an extensive array of subjects, including religion, rituals, philosophy , Folk tales, medicine, and various facets of human knowledge and existence. Paleographic analysis places the dating of these manuscripts between the 5th and 7th centuries CE.

The initial discovery of these manuscripts occurred in 1931, when local shepherds unearthed them in the remnants of an Ancient stupa-like structure located in Naupur village, Gilgit. The manuscripts were found within a wooden box. Aurel Stein, a prominent explorer in the region at the time, reported this remarkable find in a newspaper article, prompting subsequent excavations. In 1933, under the directives of Raja Hari Singh of Kashmir , the manuscripts were placed under state oversight and relocated to Srinagar; unfortunately, a substantial portion of the collection appears to have been lost during this transfer. Further excavations in 1938 resulted in the uncovering of additional manuscripts.

During the indo-pak war in 1947, the remaining manuscripts were moved to the National Archives of India in New Delhi. They are now organized into three distinct collections, each named after its original location: the New Delhi Collection (National Archives of India), the Srinagar Collection (Sri Pratap Singh museum ), and the Ujjain Collection (Scindia Oriental Museum, Scindia Oriental Research Institute, Vikram University).

Moreover, fragments of this significant collection are also preserved in the #BritishLibrary in #London and the National Museum of #Pakistan in #Karachi.

On 23 October 1979, India Post issued a commemorative #stamp featuring the Gilgit Manuscripts to commemorate International Archives Week, with a face value of 30 paise.